Ukrainian Declaration: Unity Is G-7’s Top Priority

At the latest Group of 7 summit, member countries welcomed the new government of Ukraine and renewed their criticisms of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. On June 6, a ceremony was held to commemorate the invasion of Normandy. I want to see these events as turning points for a new international order.

Prior to the summit meeting, President Obama visited Warsaw, where he attended a commemoration of 25 years of democracy in Poland with Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s president-elect.　

Lech Wałęsa, former chairman of the Solidarity trade union (federation), also participated in the event. In his speech, Obama strongly criticized China and Russia. He stated, “On the same day 25 years ago that Poles were voting here, tanks were crushing peaceful democracy protests in Tiananmen Square on the other side of the world.” Speaking of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, he said, “How can we allow the dark tactics of the 20th century to define this new century?” He also praised Ukraine. “The Ukrainians of today are the heirs of Solidarity,” he said.

On the one hand, a diplomatic declaration was adopted in Brussels. In addition to showing support for Ukraine, the declaration states that the annexation of Crimea by Russia is in violation of international law. Although such statements were criticized, the G-7 maintained that they “stand ready to intensify targeted sanctions and to consider significant additional restrictive measures to impose further costs on Russia should events so require.”

On the other hand, starting with the Senkaku Islands, there is also ongoing tension in Asia that China’s aggressive behavior is causing. The G-7 delegates clearly recognized this problem, stating they “are deeply concerned by tensions in the East and South China Sea,” and that they “oppose any unilateral attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force.” However, unlike Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the G-7’s comments on Asia avoided naming China directly. At the same time, Europe and the U.S. are dealing with their own domestic concerns.

The Obama administration should be demonstrating leadership on these international issues, but it cannot put serious effort into foreign diplomacy while it is so focused on preparations for the fall midterm elections. Likewise, in the European Union, “integration skeptics” came out on top at European Parliament elections. Such a turn of events could very well shake the foundation of communal diplomacy in Europe. We cannot deny that these domestic situations in Europe and the U.S. are visible to the Russians.

Seventy years have passed since the invasion of Normandy, an event that led to the end of World War II. The commemoration of this event on June 6 in France became a chance for diplomacy between the heads of leading countries. As Russia was also a victorious nation in World War II, President Putin planned to attend the commemoration.

After the war, the international community agreed on some general principles to abide by: freedom, democracy, respect for sovereignty and the maintenance of territorial integrity. Additionally, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe was built and has served as the foundation for European order since the Cold War era.

If Russia is to pride itself on being a victorious nation, then it should also show moderation in adhering to the principles for international order that were laid out and agreed to by those victorious nations, including itself. In order for those principles to be considered valid, it’s also a top priority for Japan to be included alongside Europe and the United States, and not just in name.